EA to Facilitate Early Action on the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Ukraine

The overall project objective is to develop a National Implementation Plan (NIP) for POPs issues with the assistance of international organisations so that Ukraine can effectively address the reduction and elimination of persistent organic pollutants consistent with the protection of human health and the environment from the effect thereof, and meet its obligations under the Stockholm Convention. Within this overall objective the following specific objectives have been identified.· Develop a comprehensive country driven NIP for reduction and elimination of POPs compliant with the provisions of the Stockholm Convention and other relevant international conventions in the area of chemicals and chemical pollutants management.· Strengthen national institutional and technical capacity of the country as required to undertake implementation of the NIP, meet Convention compliance and reporting obligations, facilitate effective information exchange, and participate fully as a Party to the Stockholm Convention in the long term.· Achieve a high level of awareness of the POPs issue and sustained ownership respecting the NIP and international obligations among decision makers. Achieve a high level of public and stakeholder participation in the development of NIP for the reduction of elimination of POPs in Ukraine.· Develop the NIP ensuring that the POPs management is an integral part of the country’s overall environment monitoring system and specifically the management of chemicals and chemical pollutants.· Create conditions for the ratification of the Stockholm Convention by Ukraine in accordance with full understanding of the national obligations set forth therein and the country’s preparedness to comply therewith.· Provide the basis for expedited financing of NIP implementation measures through preparation of a portfolio of investment, technical assistance and capacity related proposals potentially eligible for grant financing under the Convention’s permanent financial mechanism and co-financing through financing opportunities offered within the World Bank Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) framework and such opportunities as may be available from other international sources.